Poring Hot Springs
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Beyond the “hot springs” lie the real attractions of Poring. There are a multitude of activities to choose from including an impressive canopy walk, butterfly garden, tropical garden, orchid garden, ethnobotanical garden, 2 waterfalls, a bat cave and even a rafflesia site. For those looking for a refreshing dip, the waters of the Rock pool, Slide pool and Kipungit waterfall are surprisingly cold for Borneo!
Visitors up for an adventure can take the 4-hour return trek to Langanan waterfall via the bat cave. Just don't forget your leech socks as these friendly blood-suckers can be numerous on the trails outside of the main part of Poring. |
How best to visit Poring?
Poring hot springs is 3 - 3.5 hours drive from Kota Kinabalu and a day-trip there will typically only allow for 2 hours at Poring, of which you'll spend an hour having lunch. Taking a guided tour is also not really necessary as everything within Poring is very well signposted and set up for visitors. By the time you've driven all the way to Poring, you are practically half-way to Sandakan and it might make you wonder why you are returning to Kota Kinabalu only to fly to Sandakan later in your trip.
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Our West to East Shuttle gives you the opportunity to travel from Kota Kinabalu to Sandakan via Mount Kinabalu and still have a full 4 hours to spend at Poring exploring the many attractions listed below.
The River Junkie Shuttle is exactly that, a shuttle, so your time in Poring will be unguided and you won't need to follow "the group". It will be up to you to decide which bits to see and which bits to skip. To help, we have provided a guide to the attractions of Poring below. |
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Another good option to visit Poring is to stay overnight. There is accommodation in Poring itself as well as in the surrounding area but getting there and getting around can be an issue if you don't have your own vehicle, since the public buses don't stop at Poring. Join the River Junkie Shuttle to either Poring or Kinabalu Park, stop off for the night and then jump back on the next day to either Kota Kinabalu or Sandakan.
If you are planning to climb Mount Kinabalu and would like to add-on a night in Poring after your climb then just ask us at the time of booking and we will arrange the accommodation together with your climb. |
Jungle Lodge at Poring
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A guide to Poring
The real attractions of Poring lie beyond the “hot springs”. Here is a run-down of what to see & do and the approximate time you’ll need for each place.
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Tropical Garden & Orchid Garden
Walk up the hill past the accommodations (outside of the main entry gate into Poring and visit the Tropical garden, you will need to pay a small entry fee at the gate. The Tropical garden is a 1km jungle trail with boardwalks, a small cave and tortoises along the way. You may also be able to spot a Rafflesia here in the small Rafflesia garden at the entrance to the Tropical garden. It will take you around 10mins to walk up there and another 30mins to explore the Tropical garden. On your way back, stop off at the Orchid garden before returning to the main part of Poring. Total time around 1 hour. |
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Canopy Walk
Enter into the main part of Poring, walk past the hot pools (the tiled bathtubs) and follow the signs to Canopy walk. To access the Canopy walk, pay a small entrance fee and follow the trail up to the start of the canopy walk (please note this involves climbing some steps and walking approximately 800m uphill). Explore the 105m long canopy walk and get a bird’s-eye view of the rainforest and fully appreciate the sheer size of the Mengaris and Soraya trees that serve as pillars for the canopy walk. Return back to the entry counter via a short downhill jungle trail. Total time around 1 hour. |
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Kipungit Waterfall / Etnobotanical Garden / Rafflesia centre / Bat cave
We’ve put all these together as they are all in the same direction. Walk past the canopy walk and follow the signs to Kipungit waterfall until you come to a small crossroads with a manned counter. To the left is the Etnobotanical Garden (complete with hobbit houses), entry is free of charge. To the right is the Rafflesia centre, ask at the counter whether any Rafflesia are blooming before deciding whether to buy a ticket. The trail to Kipungit waterfall (10min walk) & Bat cave (20min walk) is straight ahead and free of charge. Allow 30min per place |
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Butterfly Garden
The butterfly garden is close to the pools and on the way back from the canopy walk & Kipungit waterfall. You’ll need to pay a small entrance fee and in return will learn more about the numerous butterflies of Poring and have a chance to see a lot of them in the butterfly enclosure. On the short trail beyond, you can see stick insects and various types of (impressive!) beetles as well as butterflies. Butterfly garden & short trail - 30-45min |
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Rock pool & slide pool
Whilst we don’t rate the hot springs themselves, the Rock Pool and Slide pool are worth visiting if you are keen to cool down after a couple of hours sightseeing around Poring. Beware, the water is colder than you would expect in Borneo! There are changing rooms and showers onsite so you can easily change before heading back to the shuttle (please don’t wear wet clothes in the van). Swimming: 30min - 1hr |
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Planning your time in Poring
How best to combine all this? Here are 2 recommended itineraries.
Please rememverthis is an unguided trip so enjoy your freedom and plan your visit however you like!
SUGGESTED ITINERARY # 1
SUGGESTED ITINERARY # 2
Please rememverthis is an unguided trip so enjoy your freedom and plan your visit however you like!
SUGGESTED ITINERARY # 1
- 11am Drop off at Poring car park and short orientation by your driver, walk up the hill past the accommodation to the Tropical Garden & Orchid Garden.
- 12pm Make your way back down to the main part of Poring and go either to Rainforest Restaurant or outside the park for lunch
- 1pm Head over to the Canopy Walk.
- 2pm Continue on from the Canopy walk to either Kipungit Waterfall or back to the Butterfly Garden or rock pool for a swim (if you are quick, you can do 2 of these)
- 3pm Be back at the shuttle ready to continue on to Sandakan / Sepilok ETA. 7 - 7.30pm.
SUGGESTED ITINERARY # 2
- 11am Drop off at Poring car park and short orientation by your driver, make your way to the canopy walk.
- 12pm Follow the signs from the Canopy walk towards Kipungit Waterfall and choose 1 or 2 of these: Kipungit waterfall / Bat cave / Japanese Garden / Rafflesia Centre
- 1pm Go to Rainforest Restaurant inside the park for lunch.
- 2pm Take a swim or visit the Butterfly Garden
- 3pm Be back at the shuttle ready to continue on to Sandakan / Sepilok ETA. 7 - 7.30pm.
Additional info |
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Contact us! |
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